It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

[Deleted User]

Cash is still king for me, and in the remote area we live in is the most common method of payment. 

It will be a sad, sad day when cash disappears. 

freyasmum

Rosa_Damascena said:

I am definitely feeling the pinch now - I refuse to pay £2.65 for a cake from Asda (notional problem as I was after Victoria sponge which is a variety that seems to have yielded shelf space to Christmas cakes and mince pies.

It's funny you should say this; I find that I'm buying less treat foods as I just won't pay the money for them. I've not bought Cadbury for years as it's so expensive. 

That's not to say we don't have anything nice, but it tends to be homemade more now than ever before. It's amazing how much you can elevate a 33p bar of aldi essentials with a bit of caramel (and a handful of nuts if you can stretch to it), or in a sweet dough.

Onebrokelady

Auntycaz said:

I was put on a low usage tarriff once a few years back when they couldn't fit a meter at the property I lived in at the time, but this tariff I've just been put on is for people on a low income. But if Jackie hadn't mentioned it i wouldn't have known anything about it.

Hi can I ask if this scheme is for people on benefits and pensioners or do you qualify if you are working but on a low income 
Thanks

JIL

I needed some bits from asda and did a click and collect, starting it on Monday ready to collect on Friday. I added some further bits to it on the Thursday and that means going through the check out again. I had 52 items in my trolley, already shocked at the price rises since my last click and collect, six weeks ago. I was even more shocked as 7 items highlighted a further price increase between 5p and 60p. 

London_1

Onebrokelady, I think it depends on your water company ,probably low income. But different water companies have different schemes, no harm in ringing and asking if they have an essential tarriff with their company especially if you are on a restricted or low income , the cost of a phone call may be well worth trying.

 I am with Southern Water and was told by someone else about it. I have just sent the new form of which they send every year to make sure your circumstances haven't changed at all, and received a letter back within a week telling me they are granting another years discount I fill the form and sign it and voila Iget a percentage discount

JackieO

PS I am away in Devon at the moment so can't tell you off the top of my head what it is, but its well worth having,My monthly charge is £9.60 for water instead of around £13-15. 

CKhalvashi

boultdj said:

As a small business I admit I would rather have cash because of the % the card machine firms take.
But I do have a card reader, as well as paypal and some people pay by BACS, but they are regulars and house bound.

We have taken the opposite view.

By the time cash been accounted for and taken to the bank its much easier to just accept a card payment.

I'm in a largely cash based economy at the moment and most people have accepted transfer to their account when required, others like shops and most restaurants (although in fairness mid-level restaurants here are coffee shop prices in UK) accept cards without a problem.

RobM99

CKhalvashi said:

boultdj said:

As a small business I admit I would rather have cash because of the % the card machine firms take.
But I do have a card reader, as well as paypal and some people pay by BACS, but they are regulars and house bound.

We have taken the opposite view.

By the time cash been accounted for and taken to the bank its much easier to just accept a card payment.

I'm in a largely cash based economy at the moment and most people have accepted transfer to their account when required, others like shops and most restaurants (although in fairness mid-level restaurants here are coffee shop prices in UK) accept cards without a problem.

I imagine it depends a bit on the payment. Jangly bits of metal far less favourable than folding stuff!

Auntycaz

Onebrokelady said:

Auntycaz said:

I was put on a low usage tarriff once a few years back when they couldn't fit a meter at the property I lived in at the time, but this tariff I've just been put on is for people on a low income. But if Jackie hadn't mentioned it i wouldn't have known anything about it.

Hi can I ask if this scheme is for people on benefits and pensioners or do you qualify if you are working but on a low income 
Thanks

@Onebrokelady
Sorry, I don't know. I've been retired for a few years now, but never knew anything about it until I saw Jackie O's post and gave my water company a call. It's as if they don't want you to know about it. I think it's well worth giving them a call you won't lose anything if they say no and they don't know your financial circumstances unless you tell them. Hope you manage to get it.

Wednesday2000

I have never found any yellow stickered food in a Coop! I must live near stores that don't do that. I usually go in there around 6 in the evening too.

newlywed

This may help those asking about water tariffs 
https://www.ccwater.org.uk/households/help-with-my-bills/#social-tariffs